No Garnett MVP push from Rivers

Flashing media savvy, not to mention civic pride, Maywood native Doc Rivers said he believed Michael Jordan should have won the most valuable player every year he played.

Nevertheless, the Celtics' coach wouldn't campaign for Kevin Garnett to win this year's award, merely saying it's "neat" for the league there are so many deserving candidates.

"I will say [Garnett and Paul Pierce] haven't been in a lot of fourth quarters so that clearly would affect their numbers," Rivers said.

Rivers endorsed Garnett as the league's defensive player of the year.

"I can't come up with another name that should be in the debate," Rivers said.

School pride

Rivers and Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan both played at Marquette and thus shared thoughts about coach Tom Crean leaving for Indiana.

"It doesn't shock me," Boylan said. "I know Tommy has been looking around at some jobs over the last couple of seasons."

Boylan dealt with a question about whether he would be interested in the now-vacant Marquette job with humor, claiming a news conference already was scheduled.

More seriously, the Celtics' Tom Thibodeau is one of this season's hot assistants and is expected to draw interviews for coaching vacancies at season's end. It's unknown if the Bulls have interest, and Celtics assistants aren't allowed to talk to the media.

Layups

Drew Gooden visited a specialist for the strained abdominal muscle that sidelined him for a second straight game. Gooden said he wouldn't shut his season down. "Ain't no chance at all," he said. "I just need a couple of days' rest." ... The Bulls recalled Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons from the Iowa Energy of the Development League. ... Ben Gordon, who was born in London, said he's meeting with an official from Britain's national team next week to decide if he would join Luol Deng for this summer's Olympic qualifying tournaments.